Chapter 39, A Leaf In The Forest

"So what is the name of your band," Leaf asked eagerly.

Hydra shrugged, shaking her head. "We're still working on it. It needs to be right. To truly fit what we are and what we represent, so coming up with a suitable name is harder than it probably sounds. If any of you ever get any ideas, feel free to share, because we haven't settled on a single thing yet. We want something that expresses the unity of magical races."

"How about trail mix," Greok suggested thoughtfully and Leaf giggled.

"Please don't," she begged Hydra, peering up at her with wide blue eyes full of mirth.

"I think we can avoid that one, yes," Hydra assured with a chuckle. Though Hydra had not had a drop of spirits to drink, she felt positively giddy as she stood chatting with Ballan, Leaf and Greok after the band's little Hog's Head concert. Though she'd mentioned to Leaf the previous day in a note that the band may be practicing at the Hog's Head, she hadn't truly expected them to show up. It was one of their first practices, not a real concert, after all.

She hadn't even posed the news as an invitation, merely mentioning that it was one of the places they practiced because Aberforth's patrons seemed to enjoy the music. Having an audience when they tried fresh songs was a great way of knowing what people wanted to hear as Greybo had pointed out last week when their first jam session at the Hog's Head went over so surprisingly well. Of course it didn't hurt that the band had two bards, even if one, Hydra, was only in training as it were.

Bard in training or not, she'd poured herself heart and soul into her song to Ballan, but she wasn't sure if he'd understood her intention or even noticed that she had one. If she had read his face right, he'd seemed mildly confused when she was directly singing to him, and that was not the reaction she'd expected. What the hell was confusing about professing her need for him in all his dangerous glory?

The song, Mad About You by Hooverphonic, had shocked her because of how very perfectly it described her feelings for the edgy elf. She didn't know what to do with his confusion over her singing directly to him, though. She'd planned to invite him to the Elf Forest and make it a romantic thing, but now that felt a bit awkward to say the least. She'd wanted him for too long to just give up, however. Leaf had expressed an interest in the forest, though,and even Greok was curious. So she would use the opportunity and take them all to see the petrified trees that radiated elf magic. Her hope was that Leaf and Greok would eventually leave her alone with Ballan, but considering his lack of response to her attentions thus far, they were not likely to know that they should. She had a plan for that, though. She'd just explain the situation to Leaf and get her girl help on the matter.

"I want to stop off at the ladies before we go," Hydra said. "Want to come with, Leaf?" She hoped the elf would agree, because if not, she'd have to come up with a reason and make it a thing, all unnecessarily complicated, and who wanted that? When Leaf nodded and rose from her stool beside Greok, Hydra let out an inner sigh of relief. Leaf wore a cute summer frock covered in flowers and dainty little sandals. She wore a simple thin silver cuff bracelet adorned with a yellow stone on her left wrist and no other jewelry.

Hydra would have felt plain in such, but Leaf looked beautiful. "Lucky vampires! They never have to stop off at the loo," Leaf said, planting a fond kiss on Greok's cheek before skipping off to the ladies at Hydra's side. Hydra envied her the easy affection with her goblin, and kept herself from glancing back at Ballan with a concerted effort. At least he was interested in the Elf Forest, if not her song. As soon as the two were inside the lavatory with the door shut behind them, Hydra moved over to the mirror above the single sink.

It stood off to the left of the row of wooden stalls, in an ornate silver frame covered in abstractly depicted grinning skulls with green gems set into their foreheads. Mag had commented more than once how much nicer the Hog's Head had become after Aberforth's daughter found him and began helping him out with the place. Ariana Dumbledore was a Necromancer who had grown up in Germany or Albania or somewhere similar. Her Dark taste showed in the decor. This was the only version of the Hog's Head Hydra had ever known, and she was unable to picture it without its Gothic flair. Staring into the mirror, she worked a charm on her long black hair to smooth it from the rigours of the earlier performance.

She wore a long flowing purple silk dress cinched in at the waist to hopefully accentuate her slender figure. Around her neck she wore a large round sapphire set in ornate silver along the edges, and from her ears hung long shimmering silver and diamond earrings that brushed her shoulders. In spite of their length, they were quite light weight, so comfortable to wear. She loved the way they sparkled and caught the light with the slightest shift of her head. "Hydra is so pretty," Leaf said wistfully, nearly causing Hydra to start.

She gave a soft chuckle as, satisfied with her appearance, she turned from the mirror. "Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you earlier."

Leaf flushed. "Leaf envies Hydra's pretty hair," the elf said, reaching out to gently touch the black tresses that hung over Hydra's shoulder. "Leaf sometimes worries that Greok would prefer girls with hair."

Hydra shook her head. "I wouldn't. His attention seems to always be on you. Unlike Ballan, who had no idea what I was trying to say to him earlier!" She heard the exasperated frustration in her own voice, and it felt so good to get it out to someone that it was an actual tangible relief in her chest.

Leaf squealed. "Oh Leaf hoped that she was correct in thinking that Hydra has an interest in Ballan! How wonderful!" She skipped in place for a moment before heading to one of the stalls. "He is a strange sort, truly, but he has never harmed Leaf, so she supposes that he is not evil. Her Greok trusts him and cares for him a great deal, which also goes a long way in Leaf's book, because Leaf loves and trusts Greok very much. More than anyone else. Everyone deserves love, and Ballan is so alone. He prefers to be, but Leaf does not believe it is good for him."

"Neither does Hydra," Hydra said, moving into another stall. "I mean he shouldn't be with just anyone, of course, because that's probably worse than being alone, but I know I'm right for him. He fascinates and thrills me, and that has to mean something. We are drawn to what and who we are drawn to for a reason. I feel Ballan the way I feel music, and music is right for me, so so is he."

"That sounds smart," Leaf said. Hydra could hear the elf washing her hands at the sink as she spoke. "I'm glad you think so," she said, meaning it. "I hoped you'd help me out, girl to girl."

Leaf squealed again. "Really? How!"

Hydra grinned as she headed out to wash her own hands, pleased that Leaf was so willing to help. "Can you and Greok leave us alone in the forest after you have both had your fill of seeing it?"

Leaf squealed again, clapping her small hands and spinning in a circle. "Oh yes! This is so exciting! And fun! Leaf wonders what Millicent would think about it. Millicent is her other human friend. Hydra is a human friend and an elf friend, Leaf thinks. Aside from Ballan, Hydra is Leaf's only elf friend as well, though she is not sure that Ballan is truly her friend because he may not think of himself as such." She frowned thoughtfully into the mirror for a second before turning to smile at Hydra. "Are we ready to go, then?"

Hydra was drying her hands under the magical wind tunnel beside the sink that activated when one held their hands under the silver hurricane symbol on the wall just beside the mirror. Surely another touch of Ariana's as she doubted Aberforth would've ever considered such a thing. She drew in a deep breath, then let it out as she nodded. "Yes. Let's go. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the forest!"

Leaf bit her lip. "Leaf does not know that she will have any. She is not like Kreacher or Regulus. They have such wise fascinating thoughts on such things, but Leaf just listens and takes it all in and thinks about it. She likes the thoughts concerning elf history and origins, but she has none of her own to contribute thus far. She just does not wish to disappoint Hydra."

"Of course you won't," Hydra reassured quickly. "You are a wonderful friend and I appreciate you just for being yourself. If you or any elf does get impressions, or have any thoughts, though, I am always interested in hearing them as are my parents and brother."

Leaf nodded. "Well if Leaf happens to have any, she promises to share. We should go find the boys now before they decide to start drinking the patrons."

Hydra's eyes widened as she gave an incredulous laugh. "Would they?"

Leaf giggled. "Probably not, but let us not take chances!" When the two returned to the bar, Ballan and Greok were still where they'd left them, seated on their respective bar stools and chatting quietly to one another.

"We were wondering if you'd both fallen in," Greok quipped, grinning at Leaf as he reached to slip an arm around her waist to draw her close. Ballan rolled his eyes at the romantic gesture and turned away. For her part, Leaf was moved in a more positive way, leaning into Greok and snuggling her head against his shoulder.

"Are we going now," Ballan asked, shifting on his stool.

"Yes," Hydra said. "I am so excited for you all to see it."

Ballan rose wordlessly, not looking particularly excited. Hydra opened her mouth to ask if he was excited, but closed it again before any words could escape. If he said that he was not excited, she would have no idea what to say in return, so it was probably best not to ask. The fact that he made her nervous and uncertain was more of a thrill than a deterrent, though.

"Leaf is very excited to see something so connected to her people," Leaf said eagerly as she and Greok rose.

Suddenly Hydra knew what to say. Reaching out, she placed her hands lightly on Ballan's shoulders, meeting his eyes as she smiled. To her shock, his shoulders stiffened under her hands, and she got the distinct impression that he was struggling not to pull away. "It is amazing. Unlike anything you or I have ever seen, and I can't wait for your thoughts on it. I am still shocked that it exists, honestly," she said. Making statements was less risky than asking questions at this point, or so it felt to her at any rate. She dropped her hands from Ballan's shoulders as he gave her an uncertain look.

"Of course I am intrigued to see this forest, but I have no idea if I shall make anything of it that you have not. You or your fathers." Ballan's removed tone and German accent drew her in ways she could not explain. She also liked the way he spoke as humans did as a result of the different language around which he'd grown up. It was just one more thing that always caused him to stand out. People listened to him even if such was not his particular goal.

Hydra shrugged. "I do not know about my parents, but I haven't made anything of it yet. It is special, and it has secrets for us. That's all I know." Everyone respected the Daddies to the utmost, but to Hydra, they were just her fathers. She was used to them, so while she respected them, she couldn't relate to the awe that others seemed to feel.

"Well come and let's go and see it," Leaf said excitedly. "Leaf can't wait!" Showing the forest to others was as exciting as being shown it herself for the first time, and Hydra smiled, nodding in agreement. She lead the way outside, the others following. Ballan was directly behind her while Leaf and Greok brought up the rear, closing the door to the Hog's Head behind them. Hydra hadn't even looked around for her band mates, so in the moment was she.

They could take care of themselves, though. She was busy relishing the feel of Ballan at her back. Her anticipation at showing these three the Elf Woods was palpable. "Everyone grab hands and I'll get us there," she said, a slight tremor of excitement in her voice. Leaf grasped her hand, Greok's hand already in her grip. Hydra reached out, more than happy to have an excuse to hold hands with Ballan, if only for an instant. His grip was dry and firm, just as she'd expected it would be. One second they stood holding hands in a chain outside the Hog's Head and in the next, they were surrounded by the sudden stillness of the Elf Woods. Rather than releasing her hand when they arrived as she'd expected him to do, Ballan's grip tightened as he made a low sound of awe.

"Huge fucking trees," Greok marveled.

"Leaf cannot see," the elf said.

The last and first time Hydra had come here, it was also at night, but with her fathers and the place was already lit. Currently she could see the giant trees as shadows around her but little more. Of course the two vampires could see much better. "Sorry," she told Leaf hastily. "I've never been here without my parents and they already had it lit." She cast a charm of light that quickly bathed the forest in a warm glow. Her spell spread light far more widely than a wizarding Lumos charm, and for once she found herself shamelessly relishing the perks of having elf magic.

"Leaf was not sure if it was safe to cast magic," the elf said. "What a place."

Hydra had assumed it was safe to cast magic, else her parents would've said, but the thought was a logical one.

"I do wonder why Kreacher and Regulus did not bring us here earlier, though," Ballan said. "Are you certain that they do not mind us being here? Perhaps they only intended it for family."

The concern in his voice caused Hydra a sudden stab of guilt. "Oh I'm sure they would've, but I asked them to allow me to do it instead."

He turned to her with a puzzled look. "But why?"

"Because I wanted to get to know all of you better. You are all closer to my age than theirs, and I wanted to be friends," Hydra replied honestly. That was part of her reason, after all.

"Leaf loves that," Leaf said happily. "And she loves this forest too. May she touch the trees?"

"Of course," Hydra said. "Do anything you like."

"Come on, Greok," Leaf said, tugging him by the hand while extending her other to touch various trees as she past them. "They feel so strong and powerful! It's so amazing!"

Ballan watched the other elf with a bemused expression before chuckling and shaking his head as he turned back to Hydra. She found herself staring distractedly into his eyes. From the expectant way he regarded her, she realized that he'd been speaking, and she'd completely missed it.

Dear Reader:

If looking up Hydra's song for Ballan, Mad About You, by Hooverphonic

from the year (1998) do stick with that original version as it's way better than the 2020 remake by the same group.

Also,

to learn more of Ariana before she shows up later in this book, check out The Search Is over, where she helps to reunite Regulus with his spectral parents.